Suffolk’s new alcohol service is reflecting on its first few weeks of operation, National Alcohol Awareness Week started on 18th October 2010.
Altogether, it is estimated that more than 25,600 people aged over 20 in Suffolk have an alcohol dependency – most of these are people with a mild to moderate dependency but more than 300 have what is termed as a ‘severe dependency’.
Lee Harnden, associate director of Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust’s substance misuse service, said: “Our new alcohol service caters for people who may binge drink occasionally, through to sustained misuse and severe dependency.
“It’s a new service and feedback has already been positive, with clients saying how much they have benefited already. We’ve been working closely with other existing alcohol services in Suffolk and are pleased with the dove-tailed approach we are jointly taking.”
The new NHS service covers the whole NHS Suffolk area with bases in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich. A key component of the service is a guided self-help model, helping people understand the risks associated with excessive alcohol and helping them make the life changes they need to reduce harm to themselves and others.
Clients are supported to reduce or stop drinking, with access to medical support and psychosocial interventions.
Daniel Chapelle, NHS Suffolk Health Improvement Manager said: “Alcohol can play an important and positive role in British culture. It is part of our social and family life, and can enhance meal times, special occasions and time spent with friends.
“However, more needs to be done to promote sensible drinking. This new alcohol service for Suffolk will offer this and the necessary support for some individuals to address issues with their alcohol use”.
The service is developing a new website, in conjunction with service users, aimed at all drinkers in Suffolk, with an alcohol tracker and information about how to reduce dependency on drink. The website is due to come online in time for Christmas.
Mr Harnden added: “If we can help prevent people drinking excessively, then we also help prevent long-term medical, psychological and social harm to individuals and communities. People who drink excessively have a higher risk of harming themselves and other people as alcohol has a link to aggression, domestic violence, road accidents and long-term physical illness.”
Anyone who would like to receive help from the alcohol service can contact their GP for a referral.
* Source: Suffolk Alcohol Needs Assessment, Daniel Showell:
Alcohol misusers (dependant and non-dependant)
Number Hazardous Drinkers 84,963
Number Harmful Drinkers 12,198
Total Number with Alcohol Misuse 97,161
Number Mild Dependency 24,184
Number Moderate Dependency 1,088
Number Severe Dependency 334
Total Number with dependency 25,606
Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust works in partnership to provide mental health services to people in the county of Suffolk, with the exclusion of Waveney, and in the town of Thetford in Norfolk. It also provides substance misuse services and learning disability services to the county of Suffolk.
Its website is at www.smhp.nhs.uk For a full breakdown of services and financial performance, see the Trust’s annual report online under ‘Information>Reports’
